How Michael Jackson Influenced People and The World

When we think of Michael Jackson, we think of his high-pitched shrieks, twirls, moonwalks, crotch-grabs, and impactful songs that changed music forever. His mark on the industry alone is enough to make him a legend — but that’s not all people remember him for.

In addition to changing music forever, Michael Jackson changed us forever. He shed light on world issues such as climate change, he donated to organizations that support AIDS and cancer research, and he supported causes like the United Nations High Commission for Refugees.

We take a closer look at how Michael Jackson influenced people and the world, ahead.

How Michael Jackson influenced music and dance

Michael Jackson had a major impact on the music and dance industries.| Phil Walter/Getty Images

One of the more obvious ways Michael Jackson influenced people and the world was through his music and dance. To this day, you’d be hard-pressed to find someone who isn’t blown away by his performances. From his movie-like music videos to his unfathomable dance moves to his lyrics and his sound, everything Michael Jackson did musically set the bar for a new standard.

How Michael Jackson influenced fashion

With Michael Jackson’s musical influence came his impact on fashion. From high fashion to fast fashion, touches of his eccentric style still influence the industry today. On top of that, many artists — such as Justin Bieber and Kanye West — have adopted many facets of Michael Jackson’s iconic style and made it their own.

How Michael Jackson used his fame for good

Michael Jackson used his celebrity platform to raise awareness to things that mattered to him. |ADIL BRADLOW/AFP/Getty Images

While Michael Jackson wasn’t the only celebrity to use his fame for good, he was one of the most influential. Today, celebrities everywhere use their social media followings and fandom to raise awareness to the causes that matter to them — and they have Michael Jackson to thank for it.

Michael Jackson was more than just a pop star. He was a humanitarian who supported organizations, such as United Nations High Commission for Refugees, Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Social Change, UNICEF, American Cancer Society, and more. When it came to his humanitarian work, he was a huge advocate for children and mostly worked with organizations that supported the youth across the globe.

How Michael Jackson created a global culture

One of the most significant ways Michael Jackson influenced the world was through global culture. The music legend wasn’t just famous in the United States. He was famous all over the world, including in areas that were seemingly untouched by Western influence. Through his influence, he was able to bring a sense of connection — similar to what we see online today — to all corners of the world. He envisioned the world coming together in peace and harmony and created music that unified.

How Michael Jackson set the fame benchmark

In addition to his social, music, and fashion influence, Michael Jackson set the fame benchmark. When it comes to the King of Pop, the word “legend” doesn’t even compare to how he was — and still is — viewed around the world.